How to APA Reference a PowerPoint
When using information from a PowerPoint presentation in your academic work, it's important to cite it properly in APA format.
APA (American Psychological Association) referencing style provides guidelines for citing both published and unpublished PowerPoint slides.
This step-by-step guide will help you reference a PowerPoint correctly in APA 7th edition.
Steps to APA Reference a PowerPoint
Step 1: Determine if the PowerPoint is Published or Unpublished
- If the PowerPoint is available online (e.g., a university website, conference site, or learning platform), it is published.
- If the PowerPoint is shared privately (e.g., via email, in a classroom, or on internal platforms like Blackboard), it is unpublished.
Step 2: Gather Required Information
For a proper APA citation, you need the following details:
- Author(s) or Presenter(s) (Last name, First initial)
- Year of publication
- Title of the PowerPoint (italicized)
- Slide type (e.g., [PowerPoint slides])
- Retrieval source (for published slides)
Step 3: Format the Citation for a Published PowerPoint
If the PowerPoint is available online, use this format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Source/Website. URL
Example:
Smith, J. (2023). Introduction to business management [PowerPoint slides]. Harvard University. https://www.harvard.edu/lectures
Step 4: Format the Citation for an Unpublished PowerPoint
If the PowerPoint was only shared privately, use this format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Course Name, Institution Name.
Example:
Doe, M. (2023). Psychology of learning [PowerPoint slides]. PSY101, Stanford University.
Step 5: Use In-Text Citations
When referencing PowerPoint content within your writing, use the author’s last name and the year in parentheses:
Example:
(Smith, 2023)
For direct quotes, include a slide number if available:
Example:
(Smith, 2023, slide 5)
Citing sources correctly is essential in presentations, but creating the slides themselves shouldn’t be a hassle! Use MagicSlides.app to generate AI-powered slides instantly just enter your topic, and your presentation is ready!
Conclusion
Citing PowerPoint presentations in APA format ensures academic integrity and gives proper credit to the original source.
By following these guidelines, you can reference both published and unpublished presentations correctly in your work.
FAQs are here to help!
How do I cite a PowerPoint with multiple authors in APA?
List all authors up to 20 in the reference. If more than 20, list the first 19, then use “... & Last Author.”
Example:
Brown, T., Green, L., & White, S. (2023). Marketing strategies [PowerPoint slides]. University of Oxford.
How do I cite a PowerPoint with no author?
Use the title in place of the author and follow the same format.
Example:
Effective teaching methods [PowerPoint slides]. (2023). Harvard University.
Can I cite a PowerPoint in APA if I don’t have a URL?
Yes, if the PowerPoint is unpublished, include the course name and institution instead of a URL.
Share on socials
More from the blog
What is a Digital Creator? Creators vs Influencers Explained (2025 Guide)
5 August 2025
How to Use Novel AI Image Generator
4 August 2025
Gamma AI PPT and Its Alternatives in 2025
29 July 2025
150+ Controversial Topics to Debate, Write, or Speak About (Funny to Serious)
29 July 2025
How to Introduce Yourself in a Presentation as a Student
29 July 2025
How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation with ChatGPT Using MagicSlides (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)
28 July 2025
How to Generate Instagram Captions Using Canva Magic Write (2025 Guide)
28 July 2025
Top 7 PPT Maker AI Tools to Instantly Create Presentations (2025 Guide)
28 July 2025
Create Stunning Pitch Decks in Under 59 Seconds with MagicSlides AI
28 July 2025
